The Bechdel Test and Representations of Women Onscreen

This week we will be exploring the ways in which women are represented onscreen in movies, televisions shows, video games, and advertising.  We this exploration with what is now known as the Bechdel Test, a "test" often used and cited when examining representations of women in media.  Named after graphic novelist Alison Bechdel, the Bechdel Test asks the following questions as a way to evaluate the quality of female representation in a film: does the movie have 1) more than two (named) women in it who 2)talk to each other 3)about something else other than a man?  This "test" evolved from a comic strip by Alison Bechdel published in 1985 and it was meant to be a joke about the female representation onscreen.

Alison Bechdel's "The Rule" (1985)

Today, for many media and cultural critics the test remains a gauge with which to measure the level of participation female characters in film.  One such media critic is Anita Sarkeesian, the creator of the website and video series Feminist Frequency.  Through a series of educational on-line videos, Sarkeesian examines the ways in which various media from film to video games depict women onscreen.  To prepare for the class discussion on Wednesday, September 3rd, please view the videos below and take notes on points the Sarkeesian makes women on film.  Please come to class prepared to discuss these videos.